Wednesday, May 22, 2024 To the enthusiastic call of “All Aboard!” a group of travelers, including those with roller bags, backpacks, and bicycles, boarded the new Borealis train in St. Paul, Minnesota. On Tuesday at 11:50 a.
m., the train departed from Union Depot on its first voyage to Chicago. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in regional rail travel, bringing a twice-daily service between the Twin Cities and Chicago for the first time since 1978.
Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner addressed a crowd of approximately 200 people at the Union Depot, expressing excitement for the new service. The Borealis train project had been in development for over a decade, promising to enhance connectivity between the two cities. The inaugural journey featured a locomotive and five cars filled with train enthusiasts, local officials, lawmakers, Amtrak employees, and everyday travelers.
The train journeyed along the Mississippi River, receiving warm welcomes at various stops, including Red Wing and Winona in Minnesota. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers boarded briefly at La Crosse, while Portage provided cookies to passengers. The weather seemed to cooperate, allowing the Borealis to avoid a threatening system in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The train offered scenic views of farmland, river backwaters, industrial areas, and residential yards, providing an intimate look at Middle America. Onboard, the atmosphere was relaxed. Angel Morris-Hernandez from St.
Paul, who brought his fold-up bike, not.
